Beam measuring device

ABSTRACT

For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance is disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Monorail cars traveling along a monorail track are known. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,823,512; 7,963,229; and 8,707870. A series of monorail cars, when sequentially assembled together as a unit, are collectively referred to as a monorail car assembly, or monorail car consist.

As disclosed in the above patents, such monorail car assemblies may be supported on monorail bogies. Monorail bogies travel along monorail guide beams that support and guide them. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,512, illustrating a representative guide beam, or monorail track 16, having a generally horizontal running surface 18 and two, opposed, generally parallel, side, guiding or stabilizing, surfaces 20.

Guide beams may be cast-in-situ, or precast concrete slabs, As is known in the art, it is important that the width between the side surfaces of the guide beam be consistent within a predetermined tolerance over a given distance determined by the train manufacturer, such as +/−3 mm, or better.

When a monorail car assembly travels through a curve in the track, the car assembly is exposed to centrifugal forces. Accordingly, the track may be installed with slight angles, such that the running surface of the track presents a super-elevation angle relative to the horizontal plane, to counter the centrifugal force, It is also important to measure the super-elevation angle of the track after it has been installed, to ensure the super-elevation angle is appropriate and matches design values and industry tolerances.

While various methods are utilized for measuring the width between the side surfaces, and the super-elevation angle, such methods are difficult to perform, and theft results have been inconsistent and difficult to replicate.

The present disclosure is provided to address this and other problems.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a beam measuring device for measuring specific, important geometric characteristics of monorail guide beams.

This and other objectives and advantages may become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a monorail car, and a beam measuring device in accordance with the present invention, each shown disposed on a respective monorail track, with the monorail tracks supported on a column;

FIG. 2 is a plan and elevation view of a monorail car assembly disposed on a monorail track (the individual is illustrated dimensionally proportional);

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a typical preinstalled precast concrete beam in a precast yard. The beams so cast are later transported, lifted and secured over columns to provide the track for the monorail assembly (the individual is illustrated dimensionally proportional);

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the beam measuring device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the beam measuring device of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5A is a detail view (Detail C) of a distance sensor of the beam measuring device of FIG. 4 , taken within circle “C” of FIG. 5 ;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are each isometric views of the beam measuring device of FIG. 4 , disposed about a beam to be measured; and

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate how the beam measuring device of FIG. 4 may measure various dimensions of a beam, such as a preinstalled beam.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. A specific embodiment will be described herein in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

A monorail car, generally designated 10, disposed on a guide beam 12, is illustrated in FIG. 1 . A monorail car assembly comprising a plurality of the monorail cars 10, disposed on the guide beam 12 is illustrated in FIG. 2 .

The beam 12 may be operative as a conventional monorail track. The beam 12 may be formed of precast concrete, or other suitable material, as is known. The beam 12 may include a generally horizontal running surface 12 a, and two, opposed, parallel, side, or stabilizing, surfaces, 12 b.

The monorail car 10 may include two bogies 14, which may each be a conventional straddle beam bogie (not shown). Each of the bogies 14 may include a load-bearing wheel (not shown) having a generally horizontal axis of rotation. Each of the bogies 14 may include two opposing sets of two guide wheels, as well as two, opposing stabilizing wheels (also not shown), the guide wheels and stabilizing wheels having a generally vertical axis of rotation. Typically the guide wheels engage the respective side surfaces 12 b, along a common guide wheel path. Typically the opposing stabilizing wheels also engage the respective side surfaces 12 b, but along a stabilizing wheel path vertically below the guide wheel path engaged by the guide wheels. A more detailed description of a bogie may be found in the above-referenced US patents.

As discussed above, it is important that the distance between the opposing side surfaces 12 b remain within a tolerance, such as +/−3 mm. This tolerance is of particular importance along the side surfaces 12 b of the beam 12 where the guide wheels engage the side surfaces 12 (i.e., along the guide wheel path) and where the stabilizing wheels engage the side surfaces 12 b (i.e., along the stabilizing wheel path). As also discussed above, the super-elevation angle of the running surface 12 a must also be correct within given tolerances along the track.

As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4-7 , the beam measuring device 20 may comprise a frame having a generally horizontal frame portion 24, and two, spaced, opposed, generally vertical frame portions 26 supported from the generally horizontal frame portion 24.

Elements of the generally horizontal frame portion 24 may collectively include three, generally planar upper rollers, or casters, 28, adapted to set on the horizontal running surface 12 a.

Elements of each of the opposed, generally vertical frame portions 26 may include side rollers, or casters, 30. The side rollers 30 on one side of the frame may be spring loaded, so as to maintain engagement of the rollers 30 with their respective side surfaces 12 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 , the beam measuring device 20 may be positioned on a beam to be measured, such that the upper rollers 28 may engage the horizontal running surface 12 a of the beam 12, such that the beam measuring device 20 follows the running surface 12 a of the beam 12, and the spring-loaded side rollers 30, adjust to follow the respective side surfaces 12 b.

The beam measuring device 20 may be positioned on a beam to be measured, either after the beam 12 has been installed, as shown in FIG. 1 , or prior to installation, as shown in FIG. 3 .

The beam measuring device 20 may include two side distance measuring devices, or meters, 34, disposed on each vertical frame portion 26, such that each of the side distance meters 34 disposed on one side is aligned with a respective side distance meter 34 disposed on the other, opposite side, such that the width of the beam 12 (at the location of the beam 12 between the two opposed side distance meters 34) may be accurately measured. As the beam measuring device 20 traverses along the guide beam, measurements may be continuously taken.

The side and upper distance meters 34, 40 (discussed below), may utilize various technologies for measuring the distance between the respective meter and the beam 12. One such meter is the ToughSonic Level and Distance Sensor line, by Senix Corporation, Hinesburg VT. The ToughSonic Level and Distance Sensor line utilizes ultrasound to measure distances.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the beam measuring device 20 may also include an inclinometer 36, such as a dual-axis inclinometer, which may be positioned on the horizontal frame portion 24. The inclinometer 36, when the beam measuring device 20 is disposed on an installed track, may measure the transverse super-elevation and longitudinal grade of the track.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 , the beam measuring device 20 may also include two upper distance meters 40 disposed on the horizontal frame portion 24. The upper distance meters 40 may measure vertical distances to the beam.

As functionally illustrated and described in FIGS. 8A-8D, the two upper distance meters 40 may be integrated with, and may operate in conjunction with, the side distance meters 34 and the inclinometer 36 to measure various conditions of a preinstalled, or installed, beam 12.

The measurements obtained by the upper distance meter 40 and the inclinometer 36 may allow one to address conditions on (a) the precast yard, i.e., a yard storing uninstalled precast beams, where the beams with super-elevation are not standing at the correct angle, and (b) on the assembled project where the beams will have the proper super-elevation.

The beam measuring device 20 may still further include a marking device, not shown, which may be mounted on the vertical frame portion 26, to mark portions along the guide beam 12, such as marking indicia of the beams width, or variance from a desired width, or of the track's super-elevation, or variance from a desired super-elevation, as the beam measuring device travels along a track.

The beam measuring device 20 may include an encoder (not shown) coupled to the distance meters 34, 40, and the inclinometer 36, to progressively sample outputs of the distance meters 34, 40, and the inclinometer 36, to provide a report detailing the measured distances and super-elevation angle, along the measured beam consistently.

The beam measuring device 20 may include traction motors (not shown) remotely controlled to provide an ability of monitoring guide beam characteristics along a given track alignment.

It is to be understood that this disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to any particular form described, but to the contrary, the invention is intended to include all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1-4. (canceled)
 5. For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising: a frame, the frame comprising a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance; and a marking device for marking a location on the guide beam measured to be outside of a desired range of widths.
 6. (canceled)
 7. For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising: a frame, the frame comprising a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance, wherein the guide beam has a guide wheel path, and the first and second distance measuring devices are positioned to measure the width of the guide beam along the guide wheel path; and a third side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion spaced from the first side measuring device, and a fourth side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion spaced from the second side distance measuring device, the third side distance measuring devices aligned with the fourth side distance measuring device, the third and fourth side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance, wherein the guide beam has a stabilizing wheel path, and the third and fourth side distance measuring devices are positioned to measure the width of the guide beam along the stabilizing wheel path.
 8. For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising: a frame, the frame comprising a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance; and an inclinometer disposed on the generally horizontal frame portion for measuring the inclination of the upper surface of the guide beam. 9-21. (canceled)
 22. The beam measuring device of claim 5, wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam.
 23. The beam measuring device of claim 7, wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam.
 24. The beam measuring device of claim 8, wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam. 